|
Torod and Seraph offer to train rats for Asta to command.
The kingdom has milita scouts out looking for mite attacks. The remaining troops are positioned strategically about the kingdom to guard against attack. Seraph and Justinian have inspired the militia to hold fast and be ready to defend Stagland. Asta has invoked the noble names of heroic battles bustering the militia's moral further. For over two weeks there is no sign of the mites, then out of the blue, the blue mites with an army of giant ants attack the center section of the kingdom where the gold mine is. The militia fought bravely, but being caught in a surprise attack that overwhelmed their forces had to fall back with the miners and any other citizens from the area. The mites with their ant allies now occupied the territory cutting the kingdom in half, luckily Oleg and Svetlana are loyally directing the northern two hexes of the kingdom for now.
(results: +4 unrest & lose control of hex if unress is > 5)
Justinian is frustrated in tracking Grigori’s where abouts, it seems the man is about to move about like a shadow, but he does hear rumors of Grigori speaking to small groups here and there about the lack of proper leadership, how they gave kingdom gold to the kobolds, and creating the mite problem in the first place.
It is now the fourth week of the kingdom month, unrest is running high (8 unrest) due to Grigori, the withdrawing of wealth from the treasury and the rampaging mites.
The battle was harsh and brutal even for Seraph. Who, in attempting to save lives, she faced down the Mites beasts head on. She was rewarded wkth losing most of her horns in the process when she underestimated the Ants ferocity. Now with a bloody stump and a broken horn she still held her head high, she had no regrets when it came to defending others. Though now she wanted nothing more then to wipe the Mites out in their den.
Seraph spends her free time improving relations and delving into what Grigori was up to.
She checks on the militia, heals there wounds and ensures thet are recovering. She took comfort in Olegton's reserve forces. They would recover from this and only by banding together.
At the next council meeting she offers up a plan, but it wasn't without it's risks. "We Attack them directly, we wipe the Mites out at their source. Then purge the gold mines of the ants. I truly believe this is the best path, we can't sacrifice more of our people. I say we strike now, before the Mites solidify their hold."
"This is exactly what we should have done at our first meeting with them. Let's wipe them out. All of them."
Torod's response was noted but Seraph didn't respond to it, looking to Asta. "Command it and we can send a specialized force Milady, while another leads the city in reclaiming a road to Olegton, uniting the kingdom again and dealing with Grigori."
Justinian returns from the front tired, frustrated, and angry. He hadn't slept; riding in the wains with the wounded, doing his best to care for them, administering last rites for those he couldn't save.
It was a story he'd known all to well.
He could barely contain his anger when the Council finally met. "Many good men and women died out there...and for what? Because we did not have the resolve to deal with the evil mites when we had a chance! No, we didn't want to rule by force, so we gave them a chance to breed and recruit allies! There is only one way to deal with such vermin - fire and sword!" Justinian is in a righteous fury. He spent the last hours of the trip holding the hand of a militiaman who was dying. The man made him promise that he would tell his wife he loved her. Justinian just delivered that message before coming to the Council chamber. All he could hear were her cries of anguish: "Why?!? Why?" Those cries would keep him awake for days to come.
"Misguided treaties and oaths to monsters! And now we have a deep hole of our own making to dig out from! Rampaging mites! Oathbreaking! A kingdom split in two!"
"Why?!? Why?" the voice cried. Her little daughter, barely two, clutched her hand oblivious to what was happening.
"And we sent an untrained and ill-equipped militia to deal with a threat we should have dealt with ourselves! Didn't we say we fought so others would not have to? Didn't we say that was our promise to the people?"
"Why? the voice cries, and the little girl's innocent question..."momma? where's daddy?"
"I've tried to be reasonable. I've tried follow in what I believed were the Council's wishes whether I agreed with them or not. That time is over. We have two tasks before us. One: find Grigori, throw him in jail on the grounds of sowing sedition during times of war. He will be tried when the conflict ends. Two: Destroy the mites, Completely and utterly. Scout their forces and locations, prepare ourselves, and strike!" He looks to the rest. Now is the time when they should show their mettle. He may be the Grand Diplomat, but the one thing Justinian really understood was war.
Asta listens to everyone, her face impassive as winter's first snow, but her eyes bright crimson.
The Witch listens, then speaks, her voice cool and musical.
First, she addresses Justinian: "On the motion to imprison Grigori for sedition: approved. Go. Hunt him down. Muzzle him. Tie his hands. If possible, take him unawares; remember he is a spellcaster, one who specializes in enchantment. You must take him down before he can bind our citizens to support him -- or subvert our guards. And if you cannot catch him, kill him."
Next, she turns to Seraph and Torod: "Agreed. We wipe them out. Collect Kundal from Jhod's care and tell him he is receiving a chance to redeem himself through service, then put him in the front line. He will be returned to the temple ere the full moon. If he dies, he dies a man. If he lives, he may feel better about himself."
The Witch Queen rises. "As soon as Grigori is muzzled, chained, and securely locked in the deepest, dankest hole we have, I will join you. I will add my magic to your might. I can sicken the Mites. I can conjure troops to battle their minions. I can bring swarms to tie up their swarms. And I can heal injuries."
Asta reaches out to Seraph and touched the bloody stump of her horn, sending healing energy into her. But her face remains cold and unfeeling, those crimson eyes the only sign of the emotions warring beneath the surface.
|
|
Those who which to arrest Grigori can find him in the Tavern/Inn common room sitting at the center of a long table with people who agree with his rhetoric, "The kingdom is going down the wrong path.... Leaders are making poor choices ... They declared war on the fey without thinking it through... blab, blab" Drinking ale with his dinner.
The scouts sent to spy on the Mites, find that there are patrols of giant ants under the command of mites moving about their territory. The largest concentration of the forces is at the gold mine where the entrance is guarded by more giant ants and mites. There is no activity going on at the sycamore tree, So the advisers think the Mite king is in the gold mine.
To get to the Mite king you will have to get past the patrols, by stealth, force, or luck. Then defeat the outer guards of the Gold mind. Before being able to take out the Ant nest & mite king.
Justinian's words made Seraph head swim with the shock, the aching in her horns was nothing compared to his stabbing words. Her mouth opens but she literally couldn't muster the words. To her Justinian now sounded like Grigori and it filled her with revulsion.
That revulsion turned to anger which took control mentally, visibly her muscle's swelled her skin aching from the changes. She wanted nothing more then to hurt or break something and her true heritage reared its ugly head. To which she ignored, focused on Asta's command. Now that it was given she would see it done. But she said nothing to the unreasonable speech that was just spewed at them.
She turned to Asta, bowing low and formally. "It will be as you command."
As she left the castle she gathered a couple of guards to assist her and any of the council who would come with her. She picked up a set of gauntlets, a gag and manacles before heading to the Inn. The one place she suspected him of being. She arrives at the Inn, posting the guards at the doorway on the inside as she approached Grigori.
"Grigori, for spreading sedition and disorder in the kingdom during an active war you are hereby under arrest. By order of the council, you will be bound and gagged for utilizing magical means against the citizens of the country. Resistance will be met equally with force. However you will be given a fair trial once the war has concluded." She sets the gauntlets on the table and readies the manacles before reaching to put his hands inside them.
Sunset sees to continuing preparations for the larger conflict.
|
|
Grigori takes a swig of his ale, "Arresting me for sedition and disorder? More like speaking my mine, and being unpopular with the leaders. Do you mind if I finish my dinner first, I hear your dungeon isn't quite up to the tavern's standard." He continues to eat and drink his ale, making no aggressive move. The people in the common room have all stop what they were doing to watch what unfolds, but you don't think they are inclined to take any action, other than move out of the way.
Torod comes up and slides Grigori's plate away. He draws his sword and places it under Grigori's chin forcing him to stand or be cut. If Grigori starts to speak again. Torod will hurt him. "She said you are under arrest and if you try to ensorcel me again, you will not make it to the dungeon, let alone your trial. So shut up and come along."
Scimitar +2 feybane:
to hurt
|
|
Grigori is forced to stand with Torod's sword at his throat, the bard starts to say something witty, but stop as a small red bead of blood starts to run down his neck.
With Torod's sword threatening to cut Grigori's throat, he doesn't offer any resistance as Seraph manacles and gags him.
The crowed grumbles and seems shocked at the level of force used by the leaders to arrest a man who has not shown any use of physical resistance.
She sighs, this use of force was what she hoped to avoid. Slipping the gauntlets over his hands before manacling him. At the grumbles she turns to face the crowd. "Before you so easily cast judgement, look into your hearts and ask yourselves. Is what Grigori saying the real truth? Is a hateful demagogue what you truly wish to follow? I beg you. Look at his recent actions as your guide."
She reaches up and finishes breaking off her remaining horn, casting it onto the table with a clatter before the blood started to bead on the nub atop her head. She didn't even try to stem the flow as she addressed those gathered at the tavern. "As you can see my horns are broken, shattered during our battle with the mites. But while others fought, Grigori wined and dined for his own pleasure like a coward. A true noble in all but title as he didn't lift a finger to prove he was the Man of the people as he so claimed. Yet he had the audacity to use enchantments to strip you of your will during his hate mongering. Even going so far as to use his fell sorcery against Myself, our Queen Asta and Torod as well." She lets it sink in before adding bluntly. "So don't blame Torod for being angry, because you should be angry when your own will was enslaved by a deceiving charlatan."
She grab hold of Grigori's manacles, her face certain as she prepared to lead him away. "So think on this as well, do you want someone who will bleed for you or just talk about doing it and doing nothing. If you wish to champion his cause then I await you on the training grounds for single combat."
As she was leaving the Inn she pulled out a dozen gold coins, she didn't have the heart to look at the Innkeeper. Who she had much respect for as she apologized. "I hope this will cover any business you lose today. If it doesn't, send word and I will return to settle any debts."
She led Grigori off to the castle dungeon. Slowing to explain the situation to any who seemed upset by it. But she doesn't stop until she had reached the dungeon. Before reaching his cell he is unbound, but remained gagged, before being stripped of his items. Left bare in only his regular non-magical clothing. He was chained in his cell before his items were cast into the same storage as the other two prisoners weapons were. She gives the guards specific orders, strictly prohibiting them from allowing Grigori any length of time outside his gag and bonds. Lest he use his magic to coerce them to release him. He would only be allowed out of them to eat and defecate, no more. If only we had a way to nullify magic...
While she was there she informed the prisoners of the Lucky Drunks Church's decision, thus preparing them for the trial by combat ahead.
When that was done she turned to Torod. "Thank you for your help. If you'll excuse me we need to inform Asta." True to her word she does.
Torod does not seem to notice the effects of his actions on the crowd. His focus is on Grigori. He awaits any sign that the rabble rouser is up to no good. Torod does not speak again, but there is the promise of death in his eyes.
He lets Grigori see that he exchanges his blade for his bow before they take Grigori to jail. Torod stays behind him to keep him wondering.
Once the scoundrel has been delivered to the dungeons, Torod continues to keep silent watch as Grigori is processed.
"Yes. She needs to know and we need to go take care of the mites."
|
|
The situation with the mites hasn't changed.
The scouts sent to spy on the Mites, find that there are patrols of giant ants under the command of mites moving about their territory. The largest concentration of the forces is at the gold mine where the entrance is guarded by more giant ants and mites. There is no activity going on at the sycamore tree, So the advisers think the Mite king is in the gold mine.
To get to the Mite king you will have to get past the patrols, by stealth, force, or luck. Then defeat the outer guards of the Gold mind. Before being able to take out the Ant nest & mite king.
There are six days left before a new month starts.
Seraph does as she says, assuming with Torod in tow, entering the throne room / council chamber and giving a stiff salute before bowing to Asta. Her red hair obscured her hornless nubs as she spoke. "Grigori has been apprehended. Though the force we exerted may lead to outcry. I have given those that wish it a chance to champion Grigori's cause." She stands up straight as she adds. "I request permission to search his room personally. To seek out any others that may be in league with him. I will seek the Innkeeper to witness the search in case questions arise."
Justinian, hearing about the arrest, speaks: "Force? What force? Was he beaten? Stabbed? Had a hand cut off? No." He pauses to observe Seraph for one so martially inclined, she seemed to have a worrisome aversion to violence. "Grigori is lucky he did not resist. I have no doubt Torod would have cut his throat and left him to bleed out on the tavern floor. It is better than he deserves. The people are reacting as they are because of the poison he has spread. His 'following' will be against us no matter what we do. That will change when this war is over."
When she mentions searching the room, he throws in his support. "I will go with you. A paladin and a arbiter of Justice will be beyond reproach."
His pause causes her tail to whip in annoyance before she regained complete composure. When she spoke it was concise and even toned. "Duly noted." Her face was impassive as she continued. "Being Marshall, Torod, was correct to discourage Grigori's proclivity to using enchantments. However, we cannot discount the current unrest or how it may be compounded by our lack of Councilor Svetlana..." She considered saying more but stayed on subject. "So, In the interest of stability, everything should be measured with a tact approach." She spoke in the same even concise tone. With that she bows to Asta before adding. "If you wish to search it then by all means join us."
She looked to Asta then, waiting for dismissal.
"I would say that Torod showed excellent tact, in that he did not kill him on the spot."
Justinian walks over to the door, then stops when he realizes that Seraph is still waiting for Asta's dismissal.
"That is a fool's errand. He'll have nothing in his possessions that will incriminate him. We should focus on the mites instead."
"I also think we should give him a trial. Only we would have to have someone else advocate for him."
"We aren't leaving this instant for the mites. Rushing off to a fight that we aren't ready foris how we got to this point in the first place. As far as Grigori, we shall see what we shall see. Either way, why do we need someone to advocate for him? This isn't Andoran."
"There is very little to argue or advocate. He is guilty of sedition in time of war. He's lucky to be alive."
|
|
Seraph, Justinian and any others that go search Grigori's room: The tavern keep shows you to Grigori's room and opens the door for you. Inside you find a slightly messy room, but most of his stuff is in a backpack in the storage box beside the bed. Inside you find 4 potions, 1 empty potion vial, 2 scrolls, Caltrops, a shortbow with 20 arrows, and a masterwork buckler.
The gear Grigori had on him with arrested was: a masterwork chain shirt, masterwork rapier, 132gp, spell pouch.
After being dismissed, with additional orders as given by Asta. Seraphbleads the the way back to the Inn and asks the Innkeeper to assist them kindly.
Seraph thanks the Innkeeper and searches the room with single minded dedication. Wanting nothing more then to be done with it. She packs up Grigori's things for processing once they are done and clears out the room so it can be used for the Innkeepers business again.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
The results of the search don't surprise Justinian. His own investigations had led nowhere, and this search was no different. In the end it was irrelevant. The man had done enough on his own to incriminate himself. On the ride back, he begins to ruminate out loud.
"It's one thing to stand up in a crowd and critique the ruling Council. In some measure that can be a good thing. Rulers need to hear the truth, less they become insulated and jaded." He pauses, deep in thought. "But with this war, things are different. The circumstances have changed. I suppose if Grigori had maintained his public presence, holding his speeches in the square as he did before, then he wouldn't be in jail now. But he revealed his true intent by going 'underground' as it were to speak his sedition."
Justinian rides for a while, the sound of Galea's shoes clacking on the cobblestone streets.
"He sealed his own fate. He was given every chance to cease and desist. Even to help. He refused. I don't what he is, or where he's from, but he is up to no good. We don't need that poison in our back yard right now."
|
|
With Grigori safely under lock and key, The group has time to make plans on how best attack the Ant and Mite stronghold.
In the dream you see a woman blindfolded carrying a set of scales and a longsword. She is walking across a burning bridge and surrounded by vicious dog like creatures. They snarl and growl bearing their jaws as she approaches the pack. Blind as she is when one jumps to strikes at her she cuts it down unerringly with the her sword. leaving the ones that just growl unharmed. Having safely crossed the burning bridge, she turns towards you and points to the ground. At your feet is a set of scales and a blind fold, in front of you are vicious dogs and the burning bridge.
She smiles at Sunset's assistance, happy to have the company despite the room being cramped.
"Just dust goblins. Nothing of value here, perhaps a quick perusal of his magical items will make his nature more transparently." When they had finished she thanked the Proprietress of the Inn again for her assistance and removed all the items so the room could be used now that Grigori was incarcerated.
The way back was quiet at first, the sound of Julius's hooves clacking as they left. When Justinian spoke she didn't turn her head, though she listened. "That piggish oaf can rot Justinian, because you're right. He made his bed but right now..." She didn't turn as her eyes were glowing from suppressed anger, her hands tightening on her reins with a crackling of leather. "... I only care for the welfare of the people and my comrades." Her comrades were a precious commodity to her, as was Asta's beliefs. "The last thing we need is people to fear us and the Mites will burn with there verin.." She turns to look at him then, her eyes absolutely blazing with hatred for Grigori. "Besides, if and when he is released he will leave penniless and without a shred of dignity to clad his bulbous sack of fat when he runs back to his kennel master." She looks away then, focusing on the castle ahead of them, giving Julius a light tap with the rein's, which he complained and nipped back at her.
Seraph recovers Grigori's things so they can be identified. Setting them on the council table as she didn't have the ability to do so. She adds the items they recovered from the Inn as well. After explaining which was which she asked Sunset quietly. "Do you think you can Identify these?"
Sunset sighs regretfully, "Sorry luv. I be more doin' magic ta' be gettin' things ready, like." She shakes her head, "Mendin', adjustin' an' makin' things. That's whut I be about right now. Lookin' fer magic?" And she shakes her had negativly.
"Let me try," Asta says, holding her hands out for the items. "I am no item-master, but I should be able to identify some lesser trinkets."
While the Witch works, she speaks, without looking at anyone in particular: "I am grateful you all managed to catch the bastard without him hurting you or setting townsfolk upon you. We can undo the harm he did after we have dealt with our military enemies. I suspect that will be a much more straightforward trial...."
"There is very little to argue or advocate. He is guilty of sedition in time of war. He's lucky to be alive."
"He was very publicly promised a trial. If he doesn't receive one that could come back to haunt us. He obviously can't be allowed to speak, though. So having someone advocate for him is a compromise. This thing with the mites, no matter how much I want to do it, has tarnished are reputation. Reneging on a trial could do more harm."
"As to the battle, I have a few suggestions.
I can write scrolls in Undercommon, the Mite language, and have my ravens drop them on any small groups of Mites they see:
'I have warned you. I have warned you that if you crossed me, my allies would feast on your eyeballs and build nests in your skulls. I have warned you, and I will keep my word unless you yield. Continue to fight and I will sweep you from the land as the great ice does. I will leave none of you alive. Yield. Give me Grubble. Or embrace DOOM'.
The idea is to shake the Mites' resolve. Maybe persuade a few to cut and run.
When it comes to facing Mites in battle, I propose using my magic to its fullest potential. I can use Loathsome veil to weaken Mites; while they are thus weakened, our archers cut them down from a distance. Focus on the Mites first and foremost, dodge and evade the ants unless they pursue. Without Mite handlers, they may break off. Even if they don't, they should be easier targets without intelligent direction.
How say you?"
Sunset presents her thoughts for the coming engagment,
We refit/rearm the troops. Light x-bows for personal ranged, spears etc for close in. How much can the budget afford giving some troops 'lightning bottle' as extra 'oomph' on the x-bows?
Some wagons with light ballista for when the wasps and bee riders try their attack runs.
Oxen, heavily laden to walk ahead and find out lying tunnels. The little blue buggers will be tunneling like mad.
Wagons with barrel of oil. We find tunnels? We pour oil in and light, collapsing them. We pour more oil in and light. Any Dwarfs we have get a promotion/pay rise to help scout terrain etc.
"There is very little to argue or advocate. He is guilty of sedition in time of war. He's lucky to be alive.""He was very publicly promised a trial. If he doesn't receive one that could come back to haunt us. He obviously can't be allowed to speak, though. So having someone advocate for him is a compromise. This thing with the mites, no matter how much I want to do it, has tarnished are reputation. Reneging on a trial could do more harm."
"No one said anything about not giving Grigori a trial. What I said was he has very little to argue."
He listens to Seraph as they ride back, but says nothing.
----Later as they meet----
"I don't recommend the scrolls. Do not give the mites an out. What if they give up Grabbles in exchange for keeping their gains? Do we keep our word and let them live? Only to have this happen again? I think not. No mercy, no quarter for vermin like that."
Justinian wakes with a start. He can feel the heat of burning bridge, can hear the echo of the dogs in his mind. Always before him, the blindfold and the scales. These symbols, he knows. The sword is enforcement, the scales, balance of evidence. The blindfold, impartiality. But what of the burning bridge? Is that Greenhart, burning itself down? Is it the Council, tearing apart from within? He could not say. And the dogs? Clearly Iomedae struck the one dog who attacked, ignoring the rest. He could only interpret this as a sign to ignore the noise and follow in her divine example.
----That morning----
Justinian is not to be found. He prepped Galea before dawn and rode north out of the town. He picked a spot just within sight of the walls, but outside of eyesight of anyone in the town. he let the horse wander in search of grass while he set himself for the task ahead.
First he drew forth his sword, veteran of the Worldwound, and placed it on the ground in front of him. Next, he set his holy symbol on his other side. The bright gold of Sword of Iomedae gleamed with the rising sun. Kneeling on the saddle blanket he took from Galea, he faced the distant shining waters of the lake. And he prayed for guidance.
"As to the battle, I have a few suggestions.
I can write scrolls in Undercommon, the Mite language, and have my ravens drop them on any small groups of Mites they see:
'I have warned you. I have warned you that if you crossed me, my allies would feast on your eyeballs and build nests in your skulls. I have warned you, and I will keep my word unless you yield. Continue to fight and I will sweep you from the land as the great ice does. I will leave none of you alive. Yield. Give me Grubble. Or embrace DOOM'.
The idea is to shake the Mites' resolve. Maybe persuade a few to cut and run.When it comes to facing Mites in battle, I propose using my magic to its fullest potential. I can use Loathsome veil to weaken Mites; while they are thus weakened, our archers cut them down from a distance. Focus on the Mites first and foremost, dodge and evade the ants unless they pursue. Without Mite handlers, they may break off. Even if they don't, they should be easier targets without intelligent direction.
How say you?"
Sunset leaves her comments aside for a moment then replies.
"Tha' lil' blue meanies will come at us different I bet shine on it. Don't discount tha' bug so easy. ya, tha' mites done riled 'em up but now? They got them selves a ne home. So killin' of tha' bug handlers prolly won't give us tha' edge we be expectin'."
"Long as we don't get tunneled into...um.. under from? Keepin' a sheild wall and shootin' tha' critters should be enough of an ege. Remember, t'were tha' mites poppin' up with tha' ants whut gave 'em tha' edege last time. That's why I be sayin' take tha' oxen as decoys an' such."
The idea of Grigori not getting a trial troubled her, but that dog was beneath her notice now. If any of his items linked him with a particularly bad cult or enemy, then she wouldn't hesitate to take his head. He'd harmed their reputation sure, but the damage done to the populace to her was worse. It reminded her of her rough childhood, which made her burn brighter with anger. She took a steadying breath and focused on the task at hand.
"Sadly, we don't have strong enough troops or enough city treasury to outfit them in a timely manner for this. However Sunset's and Astas ideas hold of truth. We use are magic and weaken the mites, we make a direct lunge for the heart of the gold mine. Though I doubt between the five of us, that we will have many issues. Last time they had us by numbers and we lacked Justinian. With him with us we should have little trouble surviving the worst of it. We use ranged weapons to keep things even, Torod uses that Fey Cleaver to take down mites and we focus on keeping the insects off him and ours. We use Asta's magic when we reach the king or someone significant to cow them and destroy them" She pounds a fist into her chest then. "Their insects poisons did little to harm me, so I will take the lead if we face them. Again, being resistant to flame, you can burn me and I will be fine with that. But the Militia needs to stay here and protect the town. We've lost too many to hazard losing more."
Considering Asta's ravens and intimidation tactic she frowns. "Do we have the time Milady? and Do we want them knowing we are retaliating again?" She was unsure of the success of such propaganda, having never tried such a tactic.
That night and the next morning Seraph is in the training yard, looking all the world as though she had been there all night. Which she had slept but afterward returned to the yard. Swinging her sword over her head over and over as she trained her muscles for the coming struggle. It was her only way to relieve stress, through physical training. She also was waiting for any who would champion Griogori's cause, once she knew none would she refocused on obliterating the mites and restoring the kingdom as a whole.
|
|
Investigating Grigori's items, Asta can identify them as a potion of cure light wounds, a potion of cure moderate wounds, two potions of undetectable alignment, a scroll of scare and a scroll of sound burst. Also, his chain shirt and rapier are faint magic as well .
Asta suggest giving the mites an ultimatum, which Justinian strongly disagrees with.
Sunset suggest equipping the fledgling army with crossbows, spears and magic bottles, which Seraph points out takes time and gold.
Justinian spends the morning meditating and prayer.
Seraph spends the morning in the yard training.
There are only a few more days of the month left, unless something changes you expect the mites with their ant allies will continue to attack during the next month.
A fair number of citizens are restless and grumbling about between Grigori's efforts to discredit the leaders, the Mite's successful invasion, the payment to buy off the kobolds, and the violence arrest of Grigori with many wondering if there will be a trial. It will make running the kingdom more difficult for the coming month.
It's up to the leaders how best to proceed, and where to focus their attention.
"The mites might be better dealt with by a small, highly skilled team of infiltrators rather than a large armed force. We could strike at the mites ourselves."
The yard had been uneventful, thankfully.
But the grumbling of the populace couldn't be ignored. "Exactly Torod, as I was saying last night. Let's strike them, break through the ants and retake the mine. I think us five is the best optuon. Swift, precise and deadly strikes. Not another rag tag bunch of farmers. We can't afford anymore unrest..."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"I will, of course, accompany you," Asta says. "But we need to plan ahead this time."
Seraph nods to Asta. "Yes, yes we do. Now Sunset suggested alchemists fire. Which I am in full favor of taking the swarms and being burned. I will survive it better then the rest of you. We need to also conserve spells as best we can, so let's not have everyone charging into melee and keep the damage centralized on key front liners. Myself I proved highly resistant and I can heal myself, so I will hold a frontline when needed."
"Long range weapons are a must, I would say heavy crossbows if we can scrounge them up quickly. I can buy them if needed. "[/smaller]
"Sending some of us to scout ahead, I'm too noisy this I admit. But Torod and Strawberry are deaths shadow in this regard. Perhaps they could also pick off lone guards as well."
"Then there's the target, do we go for the mines or do we attack the old Sycamore. Because I've been thinking about it and maybe I am givong the mites too much credit but I would take the mines as well. Why? To make my enemies rush headlong into an ambush. Then collapse the mine on them. Perhaps we are being faked out by the big obvious bustle of activity at the mine. So we need to pick our target with caution. We could scout the old sycamore and then hit the mines from the east if the old tree is bare. Thoughts anyone?"
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"I think that I can have ravens drop alchemist's fire on the Mites from a great height. Additionally, I agree with wiping out their lair at the sycamore tree first. It is their stronghold, their home. Take that away, and it should shake and weaken them."
"Our information suggests that the mites have moved out of the sycamore and into the mines. Assailing the sycamore will be a waste of time. Also, the mites specialize in underground warfare. I'm not sure how effective bombarding them will be.""
"Aye, that's the truth about them lil' buggers bein' all underground. But we've got'a get outelves there. Havin' lots'a ways a bringin' tha' hurt down on them lil buggers in't never a bad thing."
Sunset points out, then talks about how possible it might be to have ravens under Lady Asta's control to do such things.
|
|
Warden Kesten: What -- a raven carrying a alchemist fire?
Asta: It could grip it by the bottle neck!
Warden Kesten: It's not a question of where he grips it! It's a simple question of weight ratios! A two pound bird could not carry a 1 pound bottle.
The scout reports do indicate that the Mites have abandon the sycamore lair and is using the mine as their main stronghold.
They have a three layer defense. Small patrols in the hex, a larger force guarding the mine entrance and then what ever is with the Mite king.
Seraph nods to Torod. "Then that makes this easier, we go for the mines directly but be ready for pitfalls once we are inside. I am sure the Mites have nasty surprises for us. We bring Alchemist fire and Torod and Strawberry can scout ahead of us. With any luck we can get to the mine without notice beforehand."
She stands then. "We should probably circle around to the backside of the mine, use the forest for cover and try to approach the mines unseen. Shall I ready the horses milady?"